MLB Draft Watch: 2019 College Baseball Preview, Pitching Prospects of Note
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| Ricky Devito, Seton Hall (Photo Credit: Dave Wegiel) |
Baseball is back.
As MLB teams head to Arizona and Florida for the beginning of spring training, college players who'll soon be surfacing in Major League spring training camps in a few years begin their regular season in similar warm weather environments as college baseball officially gets underway this weekend.
Previewing some of the top players at the college level that are eligible for the upcoming 2019 MLB Draft, Matt's Draft Journal focuses on a number of pitchers providing a glimpse of what they've shown up to this point, the pitches they have presently, and their future potential as draft prospects come June when the 30 MLB teams will decide which players to select to add to their organization.
- Kyle Brnovich, Elon
Named a consensus All-American following a spectacular season as a sophomore in 2018, Kyle Brnovich pitched to a 1.71 ERA, starting in 15 games, while earning an 8-2 record. For the year he threw 105 total innings, compiling 147 strikeouts verse 36 walks, 57 hits, 4 home runs allowed, and an opponent batting average of a mere .159.
Brnovich would then go on to do well in the top college summer baseball league appearing in 2 games at Cape Cod where he threw 5 innings, striking out 6 batters while allowing no runs and no hits. He'd then move onto play for the USA National Collegiate Team adding another 6.2 innings pitched with 10 strikeouts against 3 walks and 3 hits, also not allowing a single run.
Featuring some of the best control in all of college baseball the 6'2, 190-pound right-hander has a low 90's fastball that commands well at 90-92 mph and a changeup that comes in at about 10 mph less than that. However, his most effective secondary offering is a pitch that varies between a curveball and a slider which will draw readings on the radar gun from anywhere between 75-82 mph and has a unique combination of spin and break to it.
Now a junior, Brnovich has been selected the 2019 Preseason CAA (Colonial Athletic Conference) Player of the Year and is a consensus Preseason All-American as well. As one of the best pure pitchers in college baseball, he'll have a chance to translate that into success as a draft pick in 2019.
Brnovich would then go on to do well in the top college summer baseball league appearing in 2 games at Cape Cod where he threw 5 innings, striking out 6 batters while allowing no runs and no hits. He'd then move onto play for the USA National Collegiate Team adding another 6.2 innings pitched with 10 strikeouts against 3 walks and 3 hits, also not allowing a single run.
Featuring some of the best control in all of college baseball the 6'2, 190-pound right-hander has a low 90's fastball that commands well at 90-92 mph and a changeup that comes in at about 10 mph less than that. However, his most effective secondary offering is a pitch that varies between a curveball and a slider which will draw readings on the radar gun from anywhere between 75-82 mph and has a unique combination of spin and break to it.
Now a junior, Brnovich has been selected the 2019 Preseason CAA (Colonial Athletic Conference) Player of the Year and is a consensus Preseason All-American as well. As one of the best pure pitchers in college baseball, he'll have a chance to translate that into success as a draft pick in 2019.
- Isaiah Campbell, Arkansas
Having thrown less than 1 inning in 2017 before being shut down for the season with an elbow injury, Isaiah Campbell returned to the mound last year for 18 games, including 17 starts earning a record of 3-5 for the Arkansas Razorbacks who made it to the College World Series in 2018.
In total he threw 69.2 innings, accumulating 75 strikeouts against 29 walks, 67 hits, 4 home runs and a .249 batting average allowed, with an ERA of 4.29.
In a start against Florida, the Portugal-born pitcher went 5.1 innings, giving up just 2 earned runs and 2 hits with no walks and 8 strikeouts, earning the win to send the SEC-school to the final round of the CWS.
Despite being taken by the LA Angels in the 24th round of the 2018 MLB Draft, Campbell decided to return to school where he'll now begin his redshirt junior season.
A 6'4, 225-pound right-hander he has a combination of pitches to choose from beginning with a fastball that signals the radar gun between 92-95 mph and can reach 97, in addition to a hard slider/cutter which comes in the mid-to-high 80s. He also can spin a competent though sometimes inconsistent curveball that will reach the low 80's and has a changeup as well that he'll go to on occasion.
Should he remain healthy and show signs of improvement overall in his second season removed from missing a full year due to injury, Campbell should go a lot sooner in this year's draft than he did last year.
In total he threw 69.2 innings, accumulating 75 strikeouts against 29 walks, 67 hits, 4 home runs and a .249 batting average allowed, with an ERA of 4.29.
In a start against Florida, the Portugal-born pitcher went 5.1 innings, giving up just 2 earned runs and 2 hits with no walks and 8 strikeouts, earning the win to send the SEC-school to the final round of the CWS.
Despite being taken by the LA Angels in the 24th round of the 2018 MLB Draft, Campbell decided to return to school where he'll now begin his redshirt junior season.
A 6'4, 225-pound right-hander he has a combination of pitches to choose from beginning with a fastball that signals the radar gun between 92-95 mph and can reach 97, in addition to a hard slider/cutter which comes in the mid-to-high 80s. He also can spin a competent though sometimes inconsistent curveball that will reach the low 80's and has a changeup as well that he'll go to on occasion.
Should he remain healthy and show signs of improvement overall in his second season removed from missing a full year due to injury, Campbell should go a lot sooner in this year's draft than he did last year.
- Matt Canterino, Rice
Enjoying a successful 2018 season as a sophomore at Rice and into the summer, Matt Canterino will hope to continue his upward trajectory as he travels into 2019 as one of the top pitchers in college baseball.
Last year the right-handed hurler had was voted 1st team All-Conference USA pitching to a record of 7-5, with a 3.06 ERA in 16 games, starting all but one. Throwing a total of 94 innings for the Owls, he counted 116 strikeouts verse 22 walks allowed, putting another 6 batters on base via hit-by-pitch, and giving up 65 base hits, including 9 home runs, while holding opponents to a lowly .188 batting average.
Canterino would sustain his strong 2018 during the summer pitching in the Cape Cod League where he started 5 games, going 2-1, and recording an ERA of 2.59. During the handful of starts, he managed to get through 24.1 innings, striking out 29 batters while walking 10 and allowing 16 hits, with one being a home run. Highlighted by him earning the win in the league's all-star game.
If that weren't enough he would earn a spot on USA National Collegiate Team, going 1-0 in the lone game he appeared in, not allowing a run and retiring five of the eight batters he faced.
A 6'3, 225-pound right-hander, Canterino challenges hitters with a fastball that'll come in at 92-94 mph and has arm-side run, which he can locate on the inside part of the plate. He backs that up with a hook of a curveball at 76-77 mph that is his best secondary pitch and generates strikeouts but can vary it into a slider at times that comes in at the low 80s. Also accompanying the slurve-type pitch is a changeup which he uses less often but can show for strikes on occasion.
Earning multiple preseason All-American honors and surfacing on numerous national player/pitcher of the year watch list, Canterino has the chance to catapult himself towards the top of the 2019 MLB Draft with another strong season in his junior year.
- Ricky Devito, Seton Hall
Selected as the Big East Pitcher of the Year in 2018 as a sophomore, Devito returns to Seton Hall this season as one of the top pitchers in the country.
After having not giving up a run 14.2 innings out of the bullpen as a freshman, the right-handed slinger from Staten Island started in all 12 games he appeared on the mound for the Pirates last season, going 6-3 with 1.88 ERA in 62.1 innings pitched, with 67 strikeouts to 22 walks and 42 hits allowed (WHIP of 1.06). In total he held batters to 3 home runs and .190 batting average, not putting any on base via hit-by-pitch.
At 6'3, 195-pounds Devito throws his fastball with some movement in the low-to-mid 90's, topping out at 95-96 mph. His best secondary offering is a low 80's changeup that features arm-side fading action as it reaches the plate and a developing slider that he throws a bit harder than that.
Pitching in the Cape Cod League during the summer he recorded the 8th best ERA at 2.45 in 8 games, starting in 5, with a 2-1 record, throwing 29.1 innings in putting away 35 batters by strikes and allowing 13 walks and 27 hits.
Now a junior, Devito would greatly benefit from having a similar season that he did as a sophomore and even more so, if better, which would likely result in him being one of the top college pitchers selected in the 2019 MLB Draft.
After having not giving up a run 14.2 innings out of the bullpen as a freshman, the right-handed slinger from Staten Island started in all 12 games he appeared on the mound for the Pirates last season, going 6-3 with 1.88 ERA in 62.1 innings pitched, with 67 strikeouts to 22 walks and 42 hits allowed (WHIP of 1.06). In total he held batters to 3 home runs and .190 batting average, not putting any on base via hit-by-pitch.
At 6'3, 195-pounds Devito throws his fastball with some movement in the low-to-mid 90's, topping out at 95-96 mph. His best secondary offering is a low 80's changeup that features arm-side fading action as it reaches the plate and a developing slider that he throws a bit harder than that.
Pitching in the Cape Cod League during the summer he recorded the 8th best ERA at 2.45 in 8 games, starting in 5, with a 2-1 record, throwing 29.1 innings in putting away 35 batters by strikes and allowing 13 walks and 27 hits.
Now a junior, Devito would greatly benefit from having a similar season that he did as a sophomore and even more so, if better, which would likely result in him being one of the top college pitchers selected in the 2019 MLB Draft.
- Tyler Dyson, Florida
During his time on the mound for Florida, last season Dyson complied a 4.47 ERA and 5-3 record, throwing a total of 50.1 innings, with 51 strikeouts, while allowing 28 walks, 50 base hits, plus another 13 batters hit-by-pitch, as well as giving up 4 home runs and batting average of .254.
After recovering from his shoulder ailment in the summer the 6'3, 225-pound righty appeared in the Cape Cod League, returning to the mound to make 3 starts, going 1-1, with a 2.36 ERA. He would add a total of 19 innings pitched with 12 hits and 9 walks allowed while striking out 23 batters.
Now a junior, Dyson prides himself as a pitcher with power, throwing a fastball that regularly reads on radar guns in the mid-90s and has reached 97-98 a few times upon his return to health late last year. Presently, his best secondary pitch is his slider that rides in at the low-to-mid 80s, touching 84-85 mph, and missing opponents bats.
His changeup is still coming along and if shown to be a weapon as a quality third pitch throughout this season could have him picked ahead of a lot of the names on this list come time for the 2019 MLB Draft.
- Zack Hess, LSU
Though his stats at LSU last season may have lacked the sizzling numbers across the board seen by some on this list, Zack Hess has a quality fastball, slider combination that could rival just about any college pitcher eligible for the upcoming draft.
As a sophomore in 2018 for the Tigers, the 6'5, 219-pound righty went to the mound 17 times, making 16 starts, accumulating an ERA of 5.05 and a record of 7-6. Throwing a total of 92.2 innings, he accounted for 107 strikeouts, with 49 walks, 8 batters hit-by-pitch, 83 base hits, including allowing 12 home runs and an opponent batting average of .237.
One of his best starts on the season came against College World Series finalist Arkansas while facing them in the SEC Tournament, Hess allowed only 1 run, 1 hit, and 2 walks pitching 7 innings, with an equal amount of strikeouts.
Having been selected to compete on the USA Collegiate National Team, he'd make 3 starts throwing 9 innings, with 6 strikeouts, not allowing a run or a walk, and just 3 hits. Prior to that, during last summer, the Virginia-native appeared in the Cape Cod League pitching in 2 games for a total of 7 innings, tallying 8 strikeouts, allowing just 1 walk and 1 base hit, and not giving up any runs.
Equipped with a fastball that he can run in on the hands of right-handed batters it typically sits anywhere from 92-95 mph regularly, as Hess can ramp it up into the high 90's on occasion. Having previously thrown a curveball, he has developed the pitch into a wicked, wipeout slider which comes in at 80-82 mph, tough can reach the mid-80s, while also having shown a casual changeup that he hasn't featured as much.
Now a junior, Hess will likely be drafted for the third time this year having previously been selected as a senior in high school by the Yankees in 2016 during the 35th round and again last year by the Atlanta Braves in the 34th round, though he'll probably be picked a lot sooner in the 2019 MLB Draft.
As a sophomore in 2018 for the Tigers, the 6'5, 219-pound righty went to the mound 17 times, making 16 starts, accumulating an ERA of 5.05 and a record of 7-6. Throwing a total of 92.2 innings, he accounted for 107 strikeouts, with 49 walks, 8 batters hit-by-pitch, 83 base hits, including allowing 12 home runs and an opponent batting average of .237.
One of his best starts on the season came against College World Series finalist Arkansas while facing them in the SEC Tournament, Hess allowed only 1 run, 1 hit, and 2 walks pitching 7 innings, with an equal amount of strikeouts.
Having been selected to compete on the USA Collegiate National Team, he'd make 3 starts throwing 9 innings, with 6 strikeouts, not allowing a run or a walk, and just 3 hits. Prior to that, during last summer, the Virginia-native appeared in the Cape Cod League pitching in 2 games for a total of 7 innings, tallying 8 strikeouts, allowing just 1 walk and 1 base hit, and not giving up any runs.
Equipped with a fastball that he can run in on the hands of right-handed batters it typically sits anywhere from 92-95 mph regularly, as Hess can ramp it up into the high 90's on occasion. Having previously thrown a curveball, he has developed the pitch into a wicked, wipeout slider which comes in at 80-82 mph, tough can reach the mid-80s, while also having shown a casual changeup that he hasn't featured as much.
Now a junior, Hess will likely be drafted for the third time this year having previously been selected as a senior in high school by the Yankees in 2016 during the 35th round and again last year by the Atlanta Braves in the 34th round, though he'll probably be picked a lot sooner in the 2019 MLB Draft.
- George Kirby, Elon
Joining fellow righty Kyle Brnovich in Elon rotation, George Kirby made 15 starts on the mound in 2018 pitching to a 10-3 record with a 2.89 ERA earning 2nd team All-CAA (Colonial Athletic Conference). In 90.1 innings pitched, he racked up 96 strikeouts while allowing 88 hits and 27 walks to batters, hitting another 5 by pitch, giving up 3 home runs and keeping them to a .256 average at the plate.
Appearing in the Cape Cod League over the summer Kirby was spectacular pitching in 10 games out of the bullpen in a total of 13 innings gathering 24 strikeouts to just 1 walk and a 1.38 ERA.
Beginning his junior season at 6'4, 201 pounds he has a three-pitch mix as a prospect with the potential to stick as a starter in the pros, featuring a fastball that has added recent velocity and usually comes in at 93-95 mph, that can reach 98, a low 80's curveball that shows spinning action, and a changeup that has some sink to it.
Voted a pre-season All-American by multiple outlets should Kirby pitch to the standard expected by plenty he'll be picked way sooner than he was coming out of high school in 2016 by the New York Mets in the 32nd round.
Appearing in the Cape Cod League over the summer Kirby was spectacular pitching in 10 games out of the bullpen in a total of 13 innings gathering 24 strikeouts to just 1 walk and a 1.38 ERA.
Beginning his junior season at 6'4, 201 pounds he has a three-pitch mix as a prospect with the potential to stick as a starter in the pros, featuring a fastball that has added recent velocity and usually comes in at 93-95 mph, that can reach 98, a low 80's curveball that shows spinning action, and a changeup that has some sink to it.
Voted a pre-season All-American by multiple outlets should Kirby pitch to the standard expected by plenty he'll be picked way sooner than he was coming out of high school in 2016 by the New York Mets in the 32nd round.
- Nick Lodolo, TCU
A long and lanky left-handed hurler, Lodolo earned All-Big 12 honors for his second season in a row as a sophomore in 2018, being voted 2nd team all-conference.
Last season the 6'6, 185-pound prospect pitched for TCU in 16 games, starting in all but one, throwing 77 innings, with 93 strikeouts against 28 walks. He allowed a total of 80 hits and a .264 batting average to opponents, putting 14 on base with a hit by pitch, giving up 6 home runs.
Now entering his junior year Lodolo is equipped with a fastball that runs in at 92-94 mph and can reach 96 mph, getting to batters in a hurry with his extension on the mound due to his length. He also offers a couple off-speed pitches with a changeup that has a decent differential from his fastball, at 80-84 mph, and a curveball that comes in at 72-75 mph.
Having turned down a $1.75M bonus from the Pittsburgh Pirates when selected with the 41st pick in the 2016 MLB Draft, Lodolo has a legitimate opportunity to go sooner than that and earn a larger signing bonus in the 2019 MLB Draft with a solid season.
Last season the 6'6, 185-pound prospect pitched for TCU in 16 games, starting in all but one, throwing 77 innings, with 93 strikeouts against 28 walks. He allowed a total of 80 hits and a .264 batting average to opponents, putting 14 on base with a hit by pitch, giving up 6 home runs.
Now entering his junior year Lodolo is equipped with a fastball that runs in at 92-94 mph and can reach 96 mph, getting to batters in a hurry with his extension on the mound due to his length. He also offers a couple off-speed pitches with a changeup that has a decent differential from his fastball, at 80-84 mph, and a curveball that comes in at 72-75 mph.
Having turned down a $1.75M bonus from the Pittsburgh Pirates when selected with the 41st pick in the 2016 MLB Draft, Lodolo has a legitimate opportunity to go sooner than that and earn a larger signing bonus in the 2019 MLB Draft with a solid season.
- Alek Manoah, West Virginia
Spending most of his sophomore season as a reliever in 2018 for West Virginia, Alek Manoah made 8 starts in 23 total appearances on the mound, going 3-5 with a 4.00 ERA and 2 saves. During his 54 innings pitched the 6'6, 260-pound righty sat down 60 batters via three strikes, giving up 28 base-on-balls, 15 hit-by-pitches, and 53 base hits, including 3 home runs, and totaling an opponent batting average of .252.
While he didn't give up a single run in 8 straight games out of the bullpen for the Mountaineers, from April 24th to May 17th, he made all starts in his 7 appearances during the Cape Cod League in the summer pitching for the Chatham Angels. Totaling a record of 4-3 with a 3.57 ERA in 45.1 innings, Manoah produced 68 strikeouts to 14 walks.
Boasting a powerful presence on the mound, the Miami-made young hurler backs it up with a heater that repeatedly reached 95 mph last season and showed up in the high 90s. He also shows signs of a strong slider as his top secondary pitch, which will read on radar guns in the low-to-mid 80's, and is developing a changeup to have at his disposal as a third pitch when working as a starting pitcher.
Having an older brother in Eric Monoah who was drafted by the New York Mets in the 13th round five years ago in 2014, Alek will have an excellent chance at surpassing that selection and be taken in the early rounds of the 2019 MLB Draft.
While he didn't give up a single run in 8 straight games out of the bullpen for the Mountaineers, from April 24th to May 17th, he made all starts in his 7 appearances during the Cape Cod League in the summer pitching for the Chatham Angels. Totaling a record of 4-3 with a 3.57 ERA in 45.1 innings, Manoah produced 68 strikeouts to 14 walks.
Boasting a powerful presence on the mound, the Miami-made young hurler backs it up with a heater that repeatedly reached 95 mph last season and showed up in the high 90s. He also shows signs of a strong slider as his top secondary pitch, which will read on radar guns in the low-to-mid 80's, and is developing a changeup to have at his disposal as a third pitch when working as a starting pitcher.
Having an older brother in Eric Monoah who was drafted by the New York Mets in the 13th round five years ago in 2014, Alek will have an excellent chance at surpassing that selection and be taken in the early rounds of the 2019 MLB Draft.
- Erik Miller, Stanford
Last season as a sophomore at Stanford, the southpaw started in all 13 games he appeared in going 4-4 with 4.07 ERA. Pitching a total of 48.2 innings, he fanned 52 batters, while allowing 23 via base-on-balls, put another 6 on base being hit-by-pitch, giving up 3 home runs and an opponent batting average of .240.
He then continued his 2018 going to the Cape Cod League for the summer, where he tallied another 23.1 innings in 8 games (5 starts), striking out 32 batters, allowing 15 walks and 4 home runs, earning a 7.71 ERA.
While his control over his pitches has fluctuated at times, Miller enters his junior season with an opportunity to show the strides he's made in that area, having the confidence of Baseball America to be named a Preseason 2nd team All-American.
Should he exhibit improved control over his already strong set of pitches and the stamina to still remain effective as a starter, Miller will have a chance to become one of if not the top left-handed college pitchers to be taken in the 2019 MLB Draft.
- Ryne Nelson, Oregon
Transitioning to become a full-time starting pitcher for Oregon in 2019, Ryne Nelson had spent his first two seasons with the Ducks as a partial shortstop and relief pitcher.
Last season the 6'3, 185-pound righty appeared in 16 games out of the bullpen, pitching to a 3.86 ERA in 23.1 innings with 37 strikeouts and 14 walks allowed, earning a record of 3-1 and 4 saves. He held opponents to 21 hits and a .250 batting average, giving up just 1 home run and not hitting any batters by pitch.
Then in the summer at the Cape Cod League, he appeared and impressed in 14 games all as a pitcher out of the bullpen going 2-0, with 2.65 ERA in 17 innings, striking out 25 batters and allowing 9 walks and 1 home run.
A natural athlete on the mound, Nelson is equipped with a fastball that is quick to the plate, regularly reaching the mid-90's, while topping out at 99 mph. He is still working to sharpen up his secondary pitches but has the makings of a more than sufficient slider that he throws in the mid-'80's and a changeup that he has shown occasionally, as well.
Now a junior, focusing primarily on pitching this season he has a chance to jump out to scouts enough to be selected with an early pick in the upcoming draft.
- Jackson Rutledge, San Jacinto College
Having transferred from Arkansas following his freshman season in 2018, Jackson Rutledge will be eligible for the 2019 MLB Draft as a sophomore now at the JUCO-level playing for San Jacinto College in California.
Last year the right-hander pitched in 12 games, earning 2 starts on the mound for the Razorbacks team that reached the College World Series. Throwing 15.2 innings, he recorded 14 strikeouts against 11 walks, while allowing 13 hits and a batting average against of just .210, earning a record of 3-0, with one save and 3.45 ERA.
A towering presence on the mound at 6'8, 250-pounds Rutledge can vary his fastball between a 4-seamer and a 2-seam with the ability to run it up near triple digits, having been read as high as 99 mph. He also features a strong slider that comes in at 86-89 mph, while also carrying a changeup and a curveball with him to the mound.
While he's committed to returning to the Division 1 level next season to pitch for Kentucky where he'd be in line to replace Zack Thompson, potentially, Rutledge may not reach the Wildcats in 2020 should he go high in the 2019 MLB Draft. Which may very well happen should he have a solid season at San Jacinto.
Last year the right-hander pitched in 12 games, earning 2 starts on the mound for the Razorbacks team that reached the College World Series. Throwing 15.2 innings, he recorded 14 strikeouts against 11 walks, while allowing 13 hits and a batting average against of just .210, earning a record of 3-0, with one save and 3.45 ERA.
A towering presence on the mound at 6'8, 250-pounds Rutledge can vary his fastball between a 4-seamer and a 2-seam with the ability to run it up near triple digits, having been read as high as 99 mph. He also features a strong slider that comes in at 86-89 mph, while also carrying a changeup and a curveball with him to the mound.
While he's committed to returning to the Division 1 level next season to pitch for Kentucky where he'd be in line to replace Zack Thompson, potentially, Rutledge may not reach the Wildcats in 2020 should he go high in the 2019 MLB Draft. Which may very well happen should he have a solid season at San Jacinto.
- Carter Stewart, Eastern Florida State College
A tall 6'6, 200-pound righty, Carter Stewart was selected with the 8th overall pick in last year's MLB Draft by the Atlanta Braves.
With a fastball that consistently clocked in the mid-90's, reaching up to 97 mph and a hook of a curveball that had plenty of high school batters hesitating that comes in near the mid-'80's, Stewart lost some of his velocity towards the end of his senior season in high school due to a wrist ailment.
Ultimately resulting in he and the Braves organization being unable to come to a contract agreement.
Instead of going to Mississippi State where he had initially committed, the young hurler headed the JUCO (junior college) route to remain eligible for the upcoming 2019 draft.
Now at Eastern Florida State College, he'll look to continue to develop his changeup, the third pitch in his arsenal. Stewart made his first appearance with the Titans team on January 30th, pitching 4 innings, allowing 2 hits and 2 runs, while striking out 7 batters and walking just one.
If Stewart remains healthy and displays the type of stuff he had as a high school senior prior to seeing a dropoff seemingly due to his wrist bothering him, he'll remain in consideration as a likely top-10 pick again with a chance to go even higher in the 2019 MLB Draft.
With a fastball that consistently clocked in the mid-90's, reaching up to 97 mph and a hook of a curveball that had plenty of high school batters hesitating that comes in near the mid-'80's, Stewart lost some of his velocity towards the end of his senior season in high school due to a wrist ailment.
Ultimately resulting in he and the Braves organization being unable to come to a contract agreement.
Instead of going to Mississippi State where he had initially committed, the young hurler headed the JUCO (junior college) route to remain eligible for the upcoming 2019 draft.
Now at Eastern Florida State College, he'll look to continue to develop his changeup, the third pitch in his arsenal. Stewart made his first appearance with the Titans team on January 30th, pitching 4 innings, allowing 2 hits and 2 runs, while striking out 7 batters and walking just one.
If Stewart remains healthy and displays the type of stuff he had as a high school senior prior to seeing a dropoff seemingly due to his wrist bothering him, he'll remain in consideration as a likely top-10 pick again with a chance to go even higher in the 2019 MLB Draft.
- Graeme Stinson, Duke
A towering lefty, Stinson dominated for Duke primarily out of the bullpen in 2018 pitching in 23 games to a 5-1 record and 1.89 ERA, striking out 98 batters (14.3 K/9 lead the country) in 62 innings. He held opposing batters to a .200 batting average allowing 43 hits and 19 walks while hitting 10 with pitches.
While he only made four starts during 2018, one of his best performances was in a start against Texas Tech during the NCAA Super Regional where he held them scoreless over 6 innings, striking out 6 and allowing just 5 hits.
At 6'5, 260 pounds he can run his fastball anywhere between 91-96 mph and has one of the best pitches in all of college baseball with a wipeout slider that can come in between 81-86 mph.
During the summer Stinson earned a spot on the USA Collegiate National Team, making 3 appearances out of the bullpen where he threw 6 total innings, striking out 10 and not allowing an earned run.
He'll return to the starting rotation for the Blue Devils this season where he regularly appeared as a freshman in 2017, hoping to refine his overall command and changeup as a reliable third pitch in his arsenal.
While he only made four starts during 2018, one of his best performances was in a start against Texas Tech during the NCAA Super Regional where he held them scoreless over 6 innings, striking out 6 and allowing just 5 hits.
At 6'5, 260 pounds he can run his fastball anywhere between 91-96 mph and has one of the best pitches in all of college baseball with a wipeout slider that can come in between 81-86 mph.
During the summer Stinson earned a spot on the USA Collegiate National Team, making 3 appearances out of the bullpen where he threw 6 total innings, striking out 10 and not allowing an earned run.
He'll return to the starting rotation for the Blue Devils this season where he regularly appeared as a freshman in 2017, hoping to refine his overall command and changeup as a reliable third pitch in his arsenal.
- Zack Thompson, Kentucky
Entering his junior season in 2019, Zack Thompson had a sophomore year that got stronger as the season went on.
Missing the first two months of the 2018 season for the Wildcats with an elbow injury the 6'3, 225-pound lefty appeared in 9 games, starting 7, going 2-1, with a 4.94 ERA, with 31 innings pitched, 42 strikeouts, walking 20 batters and plucking another 5 with hit by pitches. Opposing batters hit .212 with 24 hits in total, with 5 home runs.
Thompson would improve his effectiveness in the summer against top-tier competition, pitching in the premier college summer baseball league at Cape Cod appearing in 2 games throwing 5.2 innings with 4 strikeouts, allowing just 2 earned runs.
He would then appear on the USA National Collegiate Team playing in 3 games, with 8.2 innings pitched, sitting down 7 batters by strikes, going 1-0, while allowing just .107 batting average.
Having also previously dealt with concerns surrounding his shoulder coming out of high school in 2016 when he was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 11th round, he'll hope to stay healthy this season in hopes of becoming someone who could potentially be selected first 11 picks in the 2019 MLB Draft.
Thompson has an intriguing four pitch-mix for a college pitcher, including a fastball that regularly reads on radar guns at 92-93 mph, and can reach 96, coupled with a serious slider that clocks in around 10 ticks below that which serve as his best pitches at this point. He also adds a spinning curveball and less used changeup that he can go to in his bag of pitches.
Missing the first two months of the 2018 season for the Wildcats with an elbow injury the 6'3, 225-pound lefty appeared in 9 games, starting 7, going 2-1, with a 4.94 ERA, with 31 innings pitched, 42 strikeouts, walking 20 batters and plucking another 5 with hit by pitches. Opposing batters hit .212 with 24 hits in total, with 5 home runs.
Thompson would improve his effectiveness in the summer against top-tier competition, pitching in the premier college summer baseball league at Cape Cod appearing in 2 games throwing 5.2 innings with 4 strikeouts, allowing just 2 earned runs.
He would then appear on the USA National Collegiate Team playing in 3 games, with 8.2 innings pitched, sitting down 7 batters by strikes, going 1-0, while allowing just .107 batting average.
Having also previously dealt with concerns surrounding his shoulder coming out of high school in 2016 when he was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 11th round, he'll hope to stay healthy this season in hopes of becoming someone who could potentially be selected first 11 picks in the 2019 MLB Draft.
Thompson has an intriguing four pitch-mix for a college pitcher, including a fastball that regularly reads on radar guns at 92-93 mph, and can reach 96, coupled with a serious slider that clocks in around 10 ticks below that which serve as his best pitches at this point. He also adds a spinning curveball and less used changeup that he can go to in his bag of pitches.
- Ryan Zeferjahn, Kansas
Deciding to follow through with his commitment to compete for the Jayhawks in college, the 6'5, 225-pound right-handed hurler started in 14 games from the mound as a sophomore in 2018, going 8-5, with a 4.48 ERA.
Earning 2nd team All-Big 12 honors, Zeferjahn threw 80.1 innings and sat down 100 batters by strikes while giving up 40 base-on-balls, 17 hit-by-pitches, 66 base hits, including 11 home runs, with an opponent batting average of .224.
Selected to pitch in the summer for the USA National Collegiate Team he made 2 relief appearances, tallying 3.1 innings, with 4 strikeouts, 4 base hits, and 4 earned runs.
A natural athlete as a starting pitcher, which scouts covet, Zeferjahn has a fastball that'll read on radar guns at 92-95 mph and can run up to a few ticks higher than that. His bread and butter to go along with the fastball is his curveball that has downward vertical 12-6 movement and can have batters swinging at the dirt.
He also has a changeup that counts as his third pitch which displays fine fading movement when on top of his game.
Should he stay on top of his game and in control of his pitches during this his junior season, Zeferjahn could be one of the fastest rising college pitching prospects in the 2019 MLB Draft.
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